It was kind of strange; walking through the store and seeing snowmen and Santas beside the Halloween decorations. Seemed odd to me, it was 95 degrees here and not even November!
It really sucks that my Christmas has now become christmas. I hate that. When I was a child, the true reason for Christmas become clear to me. That reason is just as clear to me today, probably even more so. But it isn't clear to the rest of the world, the politically correct police have seen to that. And retailers are doing their part to.
Black Friday? Cyber Monday? Who comes up with this stuff? I haven't spent much time at the mall the past year, in fact maybe just once or twice. The Mecca for making nice with the retail gods. Pay for your momentary happiness for that one special day! Then return it for what you really want!
People don't smile. It's a season of misery for most, the one time of year where you are going to spread comfort and joy even if it kills you; by god! I think I will pass on that this year.
I don't need much these days, I've learned how to do a lot with very little. That's good, because a lot doesn't exist in my world these days. Tough economy, everyone says it, I feel it. And before you say anything, it's not sour grapes! It's a reality that exist in my world that Christmas is a time of celebration, not for spending more than you earn for things you give that no one remembers.
Tell me, what did you receive last year? What did you give to who? I can't answer that myself and I have a decent memory. I remember a few things but not everything. I choose this year to do; rather than give. I will give of myself to someone who is in need. I'm not sure how I will do this, I am after all the worlds biggest skeptic when it comes to hardship. I've heard all the stories and seen all the fallout. Thing is life is hard for most, harder for others. And as John Wayne once said: "Harder if you are stupid!" Not ever meant to be fair.
I think it was God's plan to make it like that, well, maybe not at first. But we screwed it up and made it like that. Think about it, the first thing God did was give Adam a job. Yes, we were supposed to work. Adam had a cushy gig too! Tend the garden Adam. But like all men, he got "lonely". Enter Eve. We know how that ended. Adam got fired, never regained his status and we are all suffering from it. But, we are still required to work, just like God, who made us in His image. The same one that made the world in 6 days THEN rested! We still screwed things up so enter Jesus. The one perfect man to walk among us imperfect men. Came as a living testament and sacrifice to the love God has for us, even as flawed as we are. He wont ever give up on us.
So, we once again take a sacred Holy day and make it something other than what it is to be. We make it a sale! Put a price on happiness! Stand in line on certain days for a couple trinkets that will last a season and be outdated or broken. Having no money puts things into a perspective that I have lost sight of over the years. I want nothing to do with the christmas of today. I want Jesus to be invited to His own birthday party.
I don't have anything to give but myself. If I can spread cheer and happiness by smiling or helping someone with something, then that is my gift. I will hold the door for the person behind me, drop what I have in the kettle. Small things. That will be how I celebrate this year. The joy of the season will be in my heart, not under the tree.
I still love the movies, the music and the fellowship this time of year, I wish it would last all year long, but on Dec. 26, it goes on clearance and piled on the curb outside in crumpled paper and empty boxes. Life goes back to normal and the dept. stores count up the wins or losses. We talk of how "next year", it will be different. And it will be, I see a pre Labor day christmas sale in the near future.....
Last year I used Father Christmas by Greg Lake as the lead in, this year I think "Where are you Christmas" is apropos. Merry Christmas!
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